New advice has been issued by an organisation made up of high-profile figures saying "degrading" terms for people who use drugs should stop being used.

Established in 2011, members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy include ex-deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations.

Releasing a new list of dos and don'ts for discussing drug use, Mr Annan said: "Current drug policies are all too often based on perceptions and passionate beliefs, not facts."

While "person who uses drugs" is given the green light by the Commission, it advises against saying "drug user".

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Someone with "non-problematic drug use" should not be labelled as a recreational, casual or experimental user, according to the report.

Describing people as having "drug dependence" or "problematic drug use" is appropriate but "addict", "junkie", "pothead", "crackhead", "druggie" and "stoner" are among terms in the "don't use" category.

The paper says: "Media, religious leaders, intellectuals, celebrities and other influencers have the potential to be powerful allies in correcting misinformation surrounding drug use and reducing the stigma towards people who use drugs.

"In particular, the use of degrading and inappropriate language, such as 'junkies', 'zombies', and 'fix rooms', should be addressed and corrected.

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"They must restrain from further propagating misinformed beliefs which can potentially result in disastrous situations for people who use drugs, their communities, and the most vulnerable parts of society."

(Image: Getty Images)

The report also argued that law enforcement agencies must stop "acts of harassment" against people who use drugs, such as "intimidation, unwarranted searches, unwarranted seizure of property and racial profiling".

Established in 2011, members of the Commission include ex-deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations.